1、 Introduction

In the mid-18th century, Germany recovered from the destruction of the Thirty Years' War, and the development of capitalism and technology provided the foundation for the prosperity of literature and culture. The emergence of literary schools and trends such as the Enlightenment Movement and the Rush Forward Movement, as well as the emergence of literary giants, provided rich materials for the rise of reading culture. The maturity of print media led to a reading frenzy among the German bourgeoisie in the mid to late 18th century, and different reading methods had an impact on people's communication patterns. As the first psychological novel in Germany, "Affinity" showcases the universality of reading culture in German society at that time and its role in driving plot development through the reading, communication, and interaction of the four protagonists.

2、 Overview of German Reading History Before the 19th Century

The development of German reading culture began with Gutenberg's invention of movable type printing in the mid-15th century, which promoted the large-scale printing of books and the rise of reading culture. The German humanistic movement and religious reform further promoted the popularization of reading culture, especially Luther's translation of the Bible into German, which enabled people to read directly, and promoted the unification of written German and the development of reading culture. However, the Thirty Years' War in the 17th century led to a stagnation in the development of German reading culture. In the 18th century, with the development of political stability and capitalist production, Germany promulgated the world's first Universal Compulsory Education Law. The gradual spread of the Enlightenment movement made reading no longer a privilege of the aristocracy, and the trend of reading among the urban class became increasingly popular. Germany has experienced a 'reading revolution', and the prosperity of reading culture is mainly attributed to the improvement of the circulation system of printed materials, the formation of a unified written German language, and the Enlightenment's reverence for knowledge and reason. The way of reading has also undergone changes, from intensive reading to extensive reading, from reading aloud to silent reading, and the reading behavior has gradually become more private. 18th century Germany was a thoroughly literary era, and reading had become an essential cultural means for the public to engage in social interaction.

3、 Reading Methods in 'Affinity'

There is a sharp contrast in emotional expression between "Affinity" and "The Sorrows of Young Werther", with the former featuring the protagonist's emotional restraint and the latter being passionate and unrestrained. Old Goethe pursued "noble simplicity, serene greatness" in "Affinity" and tried to explain interpersonal relationships with "affinity". The "book club" in the novel is similar to a literary salon, which is a collective reading activity that introduces the concept of "affinity" through conversation. Letters are an important medium for remote communication in novels, and characters use letters to drive the development of the plot. Diaries are a product of emerging media forms in the 18th century, which promoted individual loneliness and the formation of inner worlds. Otili's diary and handwritten documents reflect her introverted and silent personality, conveying emotions through words. Printing media has changed the degree of sensory involvement in reading and creation, extending visual functions. The plot of Otili imitating Edward's handwriting showcases an introverted communication driven by reading, which connects the hearts of both parties. The reading activities in "Affinity" not only drive the development of the plot, but also reflect the impact of the 18th century reading revolution on people's daily lives, reflecting Goethe's deep feelings about reading activities.

4、 The influence of reading methods on communication patterns

Explored the influence of German reading habits on communication patterns in the late 18th century. McLuhan's viewpoint is cited to illustrate how media technology reshapes lifestyles, particularly how the transformation of media technology extends human senses and influences communication patterns. The oral reading in ancient Greece, the dissemination of manuscripts in the Middle Ages, and the popularization of printing represent different ways of reading and perception, which have influenced social interaction patterns. The daily reading activities in 'Affinity' demonstrate the influence of different reading styles on the characters' communication patterns and emotional orientations. Habermas' theory of the public sphere is used to analyze collective reading activities in literary salons, which are auditory driven and promote close social relationships. Koshok's viewpoint points out that the development of printing culture has changed the body view and communication methods, making reading private, cultivating rational and alienated readers, and focusing more on the inner world in communication patterns. The scene of Otili reading alone in "Affinity" reflects how printed materials lead people into a state of alienation from the world. The correspondence between Edward and Otili demonstrates how book culture in the 18th century promoted written communication and became an independent means of communication. Charlotte unintentionally intervened in the communication structure between Edward and Otili, implying how printing made vision the primary mode of perception, influencing the interaction and emotional development between characters.

conclusion

At the end of the 18th century, German reading culture had a profound impact on communication patterns, and literary works reflected social life conditions. The reading revolution made reading play an important role in the life of the German nation, and the development of printing media enriched the reading content of the urban class, changed the way of reading, and had an impact on interpersonal communication. Goethe's "Affinity" showcases the protagonist's behavior and social activities through different reading scenarios. Whether it is close range communication or communication based on textual media, the reading style relies on sensory effects on the character's behavior patterns, driving the development of the plot. Through the perspective of media studies, new space can be provided for the interpretation and reception of Goethe's works in contemporary times.